Can coronavirus variants reinfect people and evade the vaccines?

It looks like some of the new coronavirus variants can evade parts of our immune response, but it’s not yet clear if we need to update the vaccines Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2265221-can-coronavirus-variants-reinfect-people-and-evade-the-vaccines/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Apple Plans First iMac Desktop Redesign In Nearly a Decade

In addition to upgraded MacBook Pros, Bloomberg reports that Apple is also “planning the first redesign of its iMac all-in-one desktop computer since 2012,” as it shifts away from Intel to its own silicon. From the report: The new models will slim down the thick black borders around the screen and do away with the sizable metal chin area in favor…

Xbox’s ‘Instant On’ Feature Could Consume 4 Billion kWh By 2025

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: The “instant on” feature that’s activated by default on new Xbox Series S/X consoles could suck up a total of 4 billion kWh — the equivalent of a year’s operation for a large power plant — from US owners alone through 2025. That’s according to a preliminary report released this week from…

Windows 10 Bug Corrupts Your Hard Drive On Seeing This File’s Icon

An unpatched zero-day in Microsoft Windows 10 allows attackers to corrupt an NTFS-formatted hard drive with a one-line command. Bleeping Computer reports: In August 2020, October 2020, and finally this week, infosec researcher Jonas L drew attention to an NTFS vulnerability impacting Windows 10 that has not been fixed. When exploited, this vulnerability can be triggered by a single-line command to…

The Galaxy S21 and S21+ Are Samsung’s New, More Affordable Flagships

An anonymous reader shares a report: 2020 was the year Samsung was forced to rethink its smartphone strategy. A pandemic-fueled global decline in sales and a frosty reception to its S20 lineup and the Galaxy Note 20, left Samsung looking up to another company for the first time in years. However, out of that moment came its most practical phone in…

WhatsApp Clarifies It’s Not Giving All Your Data To Facebook

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: WhatsApp has published a new FAQ page to its website outlining its stances on user privacy in response to widespread backlash over an upcoming privacy policy update. The core issue relates to WhatsApp’s data-sharing procedures with Facebook, with many users concerned an updated privacy policy going into effect on February 8th will…

Sealed US Court Records Exposed In SolarWinds Breach

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Krebs On Security: The ongoing breach affecting thousands of organizations that relied on backdoored products by network software firm SolarWinds may have jeopardized the privacy of countless sealed court documents on file with the U.S. federal court system, according to a memo released Wednesday by the Administrative Office (AO) of the U.S. Courts. The…

Sony TVs Get Brighter OLED, Cognitive Processing, Google TV Streaming in 2021

Sony is probably the most storied TV brand still standing and while it’s no longer a top 5 seller, it remains a powerhouse among high-end models — aka TVs that cost a lot of money. Its 2021 lineup of new sets, announced in advance of CES, includes lots of impressive technology and will likely cost a pretty penny too. From a…

Mandatory WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update Allows User Data To be Shared With Facebook

WhatsApp’s latest terms and privacy policy allows the popular messaging app to share a significant amount of user data with Facebook. From a report: WhatsApp users are today receiving an in-app notice informing them about the app’s updated terms of service and privacy policy. The notice gives an overview of the main three updates, covering how WhatsApp processes user data, how…

‘Minecraft Earth’ Will Shut Down On June 30th

A little over a year after bringing Minecraft Earth in the US, Microsoft announced this week it will shut down the game later this year. Engadget reports: Minecraft Earth players have until June 30th, 2021, to play the augmented reality title before Microsoft shuts down its servers and it’s no longer available to download from app marketplaces. Developer Mojang Studios blamed…